by Jenny Frame
Fergus uncorked the bottle and poured some whisky into each glass he’d brought. “Let’s drink to new friends and new beginnings.”
“Isn’t it a bit early, Fergus?” Elspeth said.
“We are welcoming a new guest. You can only do that with a wee dram, Mater.”
“Da, Zaria’s pack can’t tolerate alcohol,” Kenrick said taking both their glasses from her dad.
“It’s okay, Ricky. I can take one little drop for the toast,” Zaria said.
Once everyone had their glass full, Fergus said, “We welcome our guest Zaria to Scotland and hope your time will be happy here. Slangevar.”
“Slangevar,” everyone repeated.
Zaria dipped her finger in the amber liquid and dabbed some on her tongue. It burned pleasantly, and when she gulped, a whoosh of exhilaration went through her body. She could only imagine what a sip or a long drink would do to her.
“Wow,” Zaria said.
The others chuckled and Fergus said, “Knocks your socks off, no?”
“It sure does.” Zaria giggled. She felt much more relaxed now. “What does Slange—”
Zaria struggled with the word and Fergus finished for her. “It’s pronounced slan-jee-var. It’s the Scottish word for cheers. It means good health.”
She was learning so much about this different wolf culture already.
Kenrick sniffed the whisky seriously, swirled it around, took some big sips, then said, “The 1963 cask?”
Fergus grinned from ear to ear. “That’s my wolf. I felt it was worth breaking open the barrel for our special guest.”
Did Kenrick’s parents think they were already together? Had Kenrick told them that? Well, if she thought of her as a mate, she hadn’t properly kissed her since they were on the plane.
Elspeth interrupted and said, “Heather? Zaria? Do you want to come and help me in the kitchen?”
Heather was straight off her seat to go. Kenrick took Zaria’s hand and squeezed it. “Ma, maybe she doesn’t want to go to the kitchen.”
“Of course she does.” Elspeth offered her arm. “Let’s go and have some den talk away from these wolves.”
Elspeth’s smile defeated Zaria’s nerves. She took her arm and said, “I’d love to.”
* * *
Fergus, Kenrick, Rhuri, and Callum were sitting on the couch enjoying small glasses of whisky, while Milo sat on the floor showing Glen some of her witch skills, making their toy cars float in the air.
“So how was Wolfgang County? Are Dante and Eden well?”
Kenrick nodded. “They’re doing well. Especially now that Leroux has been dealt with.”
Callum sat forward in his seat. “Rhuri said you helped capture and kill Leroux.”
“Aye, I was happy to help. The Lupas have no honour. Can you imagine a dominant attacking a pregnant submissive like Eden?”
“The thought makes me sick,” Rhuri said.
“And your Zaria, she is a Lupa?” Fergus asked.
“Was a Lupa, and I don’t know if she is my Zaria yet. She ran with her sister when she was sixteen. Her sister died giving birth to Leroux’s child. Leroux had beaten her sister so badly that she couldn’t shift.”
Kenrick took a swig of whisky and enjoyed the burn running down her throat.
“What happened to the cub, Ricky?” Callum asked.
“He survived. He’s called Marco. Zaria took the baby into Wolfgang County and left him on the doorstep of Dante’s house. She knew he would be safe there. You know Flash of the Wolfgang pack?”
“Aye, Flash. I know of his family,” Fergus said.
“Well, Flash and his partner Vance adopted him. Zaria always kept close to watch over him but was always on the run. The Lupa Second, Ovid, claimed Zaria as her own. She’d groomed her since she was a young girl, and once Zaria got away she was terrified of being captured by her again.” Kenrick slammed down her glass on the coffee table. “When I think what she had to go through alone.”
“You love her?” Fergus asked.
Kenrick nodded. “I loved her from the moment we found her on the road and I looked into her eyes.”
“And what does she feel?” Fergus asked.
Kenrick ran her hand over her hair. “She’s guarded because of her background, and she only agreed to come with me at the last minute.”
Rhuri piped in, “But she did come, Ricky. To come to another country, another pack, another culture, is a huge decision. It’s a decision that must be based on love.”
Kenrick sighed. “I hope so. I told her she could go back whenever she wanted. She needs that freedom after what the Lupas did to her.”
Callum asked Fergus for a top up to his whisky and said, “She’s a beautiful wolf, Kenrick, and I saw the way she looked at you.”
“But to be with me now means becoming Mater, with all that entails,” Kenrick said.
Fergus leaned forward and said, “Do you think she will make a good Mater?”
Kenrick looked up at her pater and said without hesitation, “Aye, the best. She’s had to take care of herself in a way no submissive wolf should have to. She’s strong, intelligent, and a survivor. She would be an inspiration as our Mater.”
“Then win her heart, wolf,” Fergus said.
* * *
Zaria sat at the island in the middle of Elspeth’s large kitchen with Heather, while Elspeth busied herself around the oven and steaming pots on the cooker.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” Zaria asked.
“No, we’re just about done.” Elspeth took a bottle of sparking apple juice from the fridge and poured them all out a glass.
Zaria’s nerves were back, just like back in Wolfgang County. She hadn’t been around groups of submissives since she was at school, and you had to find your way in the hierarchy.
Heather was clearly prominent in the hierarchy by virtue of the fact that the Mater invited her this evening.
“I can’t wait to introduce you to the rest of the younger gang of submissives,” Heather said.
Elspeth smiled. “We thought it would be a bit overwhelming to invite more wolves tonight. So, how was Eden when you were with the Wolfgangs? Has she recovered from her attack?”
Anytime anyone mentioned Eden’s attack, it made Zaria feel guilty by association. She was a Lupa, after all. Elspeth must be thinking the same and wondering why on earth Kenrick has brought her home.
“Yes, she was well when I was there. Very welcoming, they all were.”
Elspeth leaned over and stroked Zaria’s face. “You seem tense, lassie. I hope we’re not making you feel that way.”
The gentle caring of a Mater was something that she had missed out on all her life. Her sister never had the confidence or chance to be the Mater she should be.
“No, no. Not you. You’ve both been kind. I—I need to talk about the elephant in the room. I’m a Lupa. My pack attacked your cousins in the Wolfgang pack. How can you accept me?”
Heather stayed quiet and left the response to her Mater.
“You are you. We don’t judge you by your pack or where you come from but by your deeds. From what I’ve seen and what my Ricky has told me about you, you have had to be stronger and more mature in your years than you should have been. You have survived on your own for a long time and put yourself in danger to keep both the Wolfgangs and your nephew safe. I need no higher recommendation than that.”
Zaria let her head drop. It was hard for her to believe kind sentiments. She felt Heather’s hand rubbing her back soothingly.
“Ricky says you’ve been a lone wolf for a long time. We can give you a loving pack if you want it.”
“How could I ever be a good mate for your daughter?” Zaria said to Elspeth.
Elspeth sat down on the stool beside her. “I’ve prayed that Kenrick would find a loving mate all her life. When she didn’t find one in the pack, I knew the Great Mother had someone special in mind for her. Someone to help lead the pack with care and gentleness. When she went to stay and w
ork with Dante, I thought she might meet someone in the Wolfgang pack.”
“And she found a stray instead,” Zaria said.
Elspeth took her hand. “No, the Great Mother had you, a strong independent wolf, drop into her lap. When Ricky called home and told us about you, I knew my prayers had been answered. I could hear the love and adoration in her voice.”
“This is all new to me,” Zaria said. “Until I met Ricky and stayed with the Wolfgangs, I thought mating was just the subjugation of submissives. In the Lupa pack we were second-class citizens, and all I saw was abuse. I saw violence, hurt, and pain in all those mated pairs around me.”
Elspeth shook her head. “I promise you that never happens in the Wulver pack. Any dominant who used their strength against their mate would be disgraced and driven from the pack.”
Heather made the smallest of growls and nudged Zaria with her arm. “Callum wouldn’t ever dare to think of hurting me. A dominant’s strength is to provide meat for our table from the hunt, and to protect us.”
Zaria gave a small smile. “It’s just hard to let go of all my fears, and Ricky’s not exactly a normal wolf with a simple life. She’s going to be Alpha. She deserves someone like—”
“A strong, submissive wolf who has overcome adversity and will serve as an inspiration to the pack.” Elspeth finished her sentence for her. “But I know it’s not just a new life but a new role to fulfil, one that lasts a lifetime, so be sure it’s what you want. But know this—no wolf will love you as much as my Ricky.”
* * *
After a wonderful brunch full of laughter and tales of Kenrick’s youth, they walked hand in hand down to the marketplace. As they walked down that wooden walkway and past the shops, with people going in and out, it was amazing to think that the humans who visited didn’t know this existed beyond the treeline.
Lots of wolves came up to say hello and introduce themselves. All were warm and welcoming. As Zaria experienced how packs like the Wolfgangs and the Wulvers were run, it made her anger grow towards her own. The Lupa pack dynamics were so warped, they was bound to fail, and now with Leroux dead, she hoped the Lupas would be no more.
They got more smiles and waves from two women pushing prams down the walkway. Zaria turned to Kenrick and said, “Do all your wolves know I’m a Lupa?”
Kenrick shrugged. “Most probably. Den talk has likely spread news of you. You can’t keep secrets in a pack.”
“I don’t know what it’s like to be in a pack, a normal one, anyway,” Zaria said.
Kenrick lifted her hand and kissed it. “I want to show you that you can be. That’s what our first stop is about.”
They walked into one of the small shops and Zaria smelled leather everywhere.
“This is our tanner. We get all our leather wristbands made here. Come on.” Kenrick led her up to the counter, and a short stocky man with white hair came out from the back.
He saluted her and said, “Ricky you’re back, and you’ve brought a pretty wolf with you, I see.”
“Zaria, this is Larc—Larc, this is my friend Zaria,” Kenrick said.
Larc bowed his head. “Pleased to meet you, miss.”
Zaria couldn’t help but smile at the warm-hearted man. “You too, Larc.”
“Have you finished it?” Kenrick asked him.
“Aye, just give me a minute,” he replied.
He went in the back and Zaria said, “What is he making for you?”
Kenrick smiled. “You’ll see.”
Larc came back with a wooden presentation box and handed it to Kenrick. “Thank you for making it so quickly, Larc. I’ll drop off that bottle of malt to you soon.”
“You’re very welcome, and no rush for the whisky. It’s worth waiting for that special reserve.”
Kenrick opened the box and inside Zaria saw the most beautiful woven wristband, similar to Kenrick’s, only a bit slimmer.
“This is for you.” Kenrick took it out and wrapped it around her wrist. At the front of the strap was a gold rectangle engraved with the Celtic wolf symbol that Kenrick and the other younger wolves had shaved into her hair.
“Ricky, it’s beautiful,” Zaria said.
Kenrick fastened it and held Zaria’s wrist reverently. “It has a chip in it to let you in and out of the marketplace barrier. I want you to know—whether you stay here with me or leave and go back to America—that you have a pack here that you will always be part of.”
That sentiment brought tears to Zaria’s eyes. When she contemplated leaving Kenrick, she physically hurt inside, but it wasn’t just about falling in love, though she was sure she had. But loving Kenrick came with a job, a role to fulfil, and she didn’t know if she was strong enough for that…yet.
Zaria clasped her wrist. “This means so much to me.”
Kenrick’s face was beaming with happiness. “I’m glad. Now we’ve got two more places to visit.”
“The distillery?” Zaria asked. She’d been looking forward to being shown around that.
“No, I thought we’d go there tomorrow. These two places have more meaning,” Kenrick said seriously.
“Then let’s go.”
* * *
Kenrick led Zaria out of the forest and out the guarded barrier. Zaria stopped and looked out over the loch.
“It’s so…the landscape is breathtaking,” Zaria said.
Kenrick was so happy Zaria could see what she saw. The majesty of the Scottish Highlands was almost ethereal in its beauty. It was no wonder the humans created so many myths and monsters like the Kelpie. The nature around them almost demanded myth and magic.
“I’m glad you like it,” Kenrick said.
She led them past the distillery and they passed groups of tourists milling around. “Is it always this busy?” Zaria asked.
“It’s much busier in the height of summer. We don’t get a lot of good weather, but when we do, Wulver Loch can match anywhere in the world.”
Zaria smiled. “I’m sure. Still, the weather’s held since the rain when we landed.”
“Aye, I think we’ll be due a downpour now that you’ve said that,” Kenrick joked. “How did you get on with Heather and my ma?”
“They were really nice. Made me feel wanted here,” Zaria said.
Kenrick turned her head to look in her eyes. “Well you are, very wanted.”
Even walking along the road, surrounded by humans, Kenrick felt the electricity between them. It was building and building with each passing hour. She needed to touch Zaria and be touched by her in return. Heat started to spread through her body at the very thought, but she didn’t want to push Zaria. She wouldn’t be what Ovid was.
No, not now. Luckily Zaria distracted her with conversation.
“Milo and Glen are great cubs—especially Milo, she’s such a cutie,” Zaria said.
“She is,” Kenrick said. “I love all the cubs, but I’ve got a special bond with Milo. She’s going to be very powerful when she grows up and will need a lot of guidance. She’s not just half witch, half wolf. She’s half dominant wolf.”
Zaria sighed. “I can see that. Being a dominant wolf and going through the rush with all those hormones and drives is hard enough, without having magical powers.”
“Aye. Rhuri has done a great job with her, but it’s hard for a dominant to be both mum and pater. My ma, Heather, and lots of her friends help out a lot with Milo.”
“She’s a great kid. Do Rhuri’s parents not help out?”
“They live with the English Ranwulf pack. They didn’t take Rhuri’s sister’s death very well—when people die, some things get said that shouldn’t. Anyway, Rhuri fell out with her parents, and they left to live with family in England,” Kenrick said.
“That’s really sad. Milo must miss having grandparents. I suppose that’s why she calls your mom Granny. Has Rhuri never met a mate?” Zaria said.
“She’s like me, never met anyone in our pack, and she’s just put her life on the back burner for Milo’s sake.”
Kenrick screwed up her face. “Don’t tell anyone that. I’m going to be an Alpha by the end of the week. That’s just for you to know.”
Zaria chuckled. “Okay, tough wolf.”
They turned down a stone path, away from the tourist area, and at the end was a well-kept shrine of some sort. There were stones piled one on top of the other and fresh flowers all around.
“What is this?”
“It’s called a cairn. It’s an ancient Scottish way of marking sacred or important places in the landscape.”
Zaria crouched down and touched the stones. There did seem to be a change of atmosphere here like sadness and reverence were hanging in the air. Then a thought hit Zaria. “Is this where your brother was killed?”
Kenrick nodded solemnly. “We had been warned there was a rogue Vampire in the area. He was on the run from his clan. Anyway, my pater put a curfew on all the cubs and restricted the area in which we could run during the day.”
“Did your brother not keep to the rules?” Zaria asked.
“No, Donell never did like rules. We were twins but very different in personality. I always had to look after him and get him out of trouble. He sneaked out of the den to run, and when I realized he was gone, I went after him.”
Zaria stood and took Kenrick’s hand. “What happened?”
Kenrick stared at the stones. It looked like she was recalling her thoughts, like watching a movie in her mind.
“I heard him in distress. He was scared and trapped. I shifted and ran as fast as my wolf would let me. When I found him—” Kenrick’s voice cracked with emotion. “He was already dead, the life sucked out of him by a bloodthirsty Vampire. We never caught the Vampire.”
Zaria rested her head on Kenrick’s heart. “I’m so sorry, Ricky.”
Kenrick wrapped her arms around her. “From that day on I’ve carried the guilt of not finding him in time. I should have been his champion like I always was.”
“You couldn’t have known, Ricky. He broke the rules, but as soon as you found out he was gone, you went after him. This was not your fault.”